Parktown: Senior Journey Specialist posted by Wild Dreams Hospitality

We are seeking an experienced Senior Africa Travel Specialist to design and sell complete travel experiences for our discerning guests visiting Southern and East Africa. This role blends expert itinerary planning with proactive sales engagement, requiring a deep understanding of the region, a passion for guest service, and a strong ability to convert leads into bookings that drive revenue growth.
 
Key Responsibilities:
 Travel Coordination & Planning

• Design and sell bespoke, tailor-made itineraries for guests, including flights, transfers, and accommodation with the company’s properties and independent lodges/hotels.
• Pro-actively engage with prospective guests to convert enquiries into confirmed bookings.
• Promote upselling and cross-selling opportunities across the company’s properties and experiences.
• Maintain current and comprehensive knowledge of the company’s properties, including rooms, locations, layouts, and services.
• Stay updated on third-party preferred partners with specialised knowledge of Southern and East Africa.

 Sales & Revenue generation

• Meet or exceed monthly and annual sales targets through direct bookings.
• Track and report on sales performance, conversion rates, and revenue metrics.
• Identify new business opportunities and contribute to the development of sales strategies and campaigns.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with high-value clients.

 Booking Management & Administration

• Ensure accurate booking information is recorded for each reservation according to property requirements in Res Request, Tourplan, Safari Portal and CRM systems.
• Confirm all bookings via email in a timely manner.
• Manage reservation files from inception through guest departure

 Financial Management

• Ensure timely payment collection for reservations
• Submit monthly reconciliations for bookings and financial breakdowns

 Guest Services Excellence

• Resolve guest complaints promptly and professionally
• Ensure all responses and proposals exceed the company’s Journey standards with accuracy and brand alignment
• Follow up with guests post-travel to ensure satisfaction

 Professional Development

• Attend educational trips and trade events as required
• Contribute to departmental profitability through excellent service delivery

 
 Skills and Experience:

 Education & Qualifications

• Grade 12 certificate (essential)
• Degree or Diploma in Tourism or Hospitality (advantageous)

 Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in a similar role with proven sales performance, preferably with a tour operator (essential)
• Hospitality/Tourism industry experience (advantageous)

 Technical Skills

• Proficiency in MS Office, Tourplan, Res Request (essential)
• Comprehensive knowledge of Southern & East Africa travel (essential)

 Core Competencies

• Excellent command of English language and communication skills (essential)
• Strong time management and self-discipline
• Proactive approach with initiative and creative flair
• Team player with positive attitude, enthusiasm, and emotional control
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to close sales.
• Experience working with sales targets, KPIs, and CRM systems.
• Confident negotiator with excellent interpersonal and persuasion skills.